Hydraulic Characteristics and the Adaptability to Water-Level Fluctuation of the Vertical-Slot Fishway

This study explored the hydraulic characteristics and the adaptability to water-level fluctuations of the vertical-slot fishway. The maximum allowable water depth difference between the entrance and exit was calculated for a one-entrance fishway and two-entrance fishways with different entrance distances (100 m, 200 m, 300 m) under insufficient entrance water depth, with a fishway slope of 2% and an exit water depth of 2.5 m. It was found that the maximum allowable water depth difference between the 1# entrance and exit of the two-entrance fishways (0.71 m, 0.85 m, 0.93 m) was greatly larger than that of the one-entrance fishway (0.48 m). Additionally, the maximum allowable water depth difference in the two-entrance fishway increased with the increased distance between the two entrances. The relationship between the maximum allowable water depth difference and the distance of the two entrances followed a logarithmic function. We suggested that the 2# entrance should be at least 1.6 m when the water depth of 1# entrance was decreased to 1.8 m. When the water depth of the 1# entrance was gradually decreased to 1.6 m, the water depth of the 2# entrance also gradually decreased to 1.2 m. The distance between the 1# entrance and 2# entrance subsequently changed. It was noteworthy that the conclusions proposed in this study were strictly limited to vertical-slot fishways with a slope of 2%, exit water depth of 2.5 m, similar geometric parameters, and target cyprinid species. Furthermore, different slopes or exit water depths should be studied to extend the relationship by introducing correction coefficients from subsequent studies. This study can provide references for the design and optimization of future fishway projects.